The Dog Codex

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Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.

Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.

English Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel

Sporting · Great Britain

  • AKC group

    Sporting

  • Size

    Medium

  • Height

    38.1–43.2 cm (AKC; sex-specific); FCI/Royal Kennel Club approximately 39–41 cm dogs and 38–39 cm females

  • Weight

    11.8–15.4 kg (AKC; sex-specific); FCI/Royal Kennel Club approximately 13–14.5 kg

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High: AKC calls the breed active and “alive with energy,” with a gait made for covering ground, dense cover, flushing, and retrieving. FCI classifies it as a flushing dog with a working trial, while The Royal Kennel Club describes scent-following, bustling movement, and fearlessness in cover.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    Medium-length on the body, short and fine on the head, flat or slightly wavy, silky, and feathered.

  • Origin

    Great Britain

  • Temperament

    The standard picture is merry, affectionate, equable, and engaged. AKC and the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America describe a willing worker and faithful, engaging companion, neither sluggish nor hyperactive; The Royal Kennel Club calls the breed gentle and affectionate yet full of life, and FCI emphasizes merry movement and fearlessness in heavy cover.

English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel

Sporting · United Kingdom

  • AKC group

    Sporting

  • Size

    Medium

  • Height

    48–51 cm (AKC ideals)

  • Weight

    ~18–23 kg (AKC)

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High. The AKC standard says the Springer is built for endurance and suggests 'power, endurance and agility,' and the Kennel Club recommends more than two hours of exercise a day.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    The Springer has a medium-length outer coat, flat or wavy, over a short, soft, dense undercoat, and together they make the dog largely waterproof, weatherproof and thornproof.

  • Origin

    United Kingdom

  • Temperament

    The AKC standard describes the typical Springer as friendly, eager to please, quick to learn and willing to obey, a tractable dog that is easy to handle in the field. The FCI and Kennel Club call it friendly, happy and biddable.